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When Professor Pelusian Minus' steamsmith dies, he needs another one quickly. He sends his giant henchman out to complete the task. The professor is not at all happy when Abraham Lincoln brings back two small twin babies. Soon though, he discovers they are just what he needs; he just has to wait for them to grow up.
For years, the twins, Dade and Paige, have been slaves to Professor Minus and his carnival. Now, the professor wants them to build him an army of minions, they just want to escape. With some clever planning, they build what the professor wants–kinda.
Then, Dade finally comes up with a plan for their escape. They think they have it all figured out. But things go terribly wrong and now Dade has to put aside the escape to save his sister's life. Has Professor Pelusian Minus finally found a way to keep Dade and Paige at his Magnificent Steam Carnival?
For years, the twins, Dade and Paige, have been slaves to Professor Minus and his carnival. Now, the professor wants them to build him an army of minions, they just want to escape. With some clever planning, they build what the professor wants–kinda.
Then, Dade finally comes up with a plan for their escape. They think they have it all figured out. But things go terribly wrong and now Dade has to put aside the escape to save his sister's life. Has Professor Pelusian Minus finally found a way to keep Dade and Paige at his Magnificent Steam Carnival?
- GenresSteampunk
Nook
First published March 15, 2011
63 people want to read
About the author
Sean Hayden
21 books212 followersBorn the son of a fire chief, Sean naturally developed a love of playing with fire. His family and friends quickly found other outlets for his destructive creativity. Writing is his latest endeavor.
Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and steampunk gave him that opportunity.
Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.
Always a fan of the macabre, mythical, and magical, Sean found a love of urban fantasy and horror. After writing several novels in this genre, he found, fell in love with, and immersed himself in steampunk. He has always wanted to rewrite history and steampunk gave him that opportunity.
Sean currently lives in Florida as a fiber-optic engineer as well as an author. He was blessed with the two most amazing children he could ever hope for, has met the absolute love of his life, who coincidentally is his partner in everything. His hobbies include grand designs on world domination as well as a starring role in his own television sitcom.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 28, 2011
First, I love this cover! Steampunk covers are always so much fun. First Flight is the first installment of a series of short stories through Quakeme.com, a division of Echelon Press, intended to shake up young readers. I love the dedication Hayden gives in this story: ‘We dedicate this to all the children out there who are finding it cool to read, shutting off their televisions, and using their imaginations.’ Awesome! This program is such a wonderful thing, I support it fully! Hayden co-wrote this story with his son, who is in Fifth grade! I love that. Hayden’s Steampunk series is super-fast and fun read. I’m a big fan of Steampunk, and Hayden’s description of all the contraptions and inventions around the carnival was fascinating. For a short story, I really connected with the main characters, Dade and Paige. Dade is very protective over his twin, and his mission is to free them from the evil Professor Minus. I also really enjoyed the bit of paranormal in this story, with Dade and Paige being steamsmiths. Not only are steamsmiths incredibly talented with machines, they seem to have a supernatural energy that allows them to connect with the machines around them. I definitely want to read the next story to find out more about this. A new character is introduced near the end of the story and I’m really interested to see more of this character and discover what his role will be. I definitely recommend this series for anyone who loves Steampunk, fun and action-packed scenes, and wonderful, imaginative writing you can get lost in!
October 25, 2011
As soon as I saw the dedication in this book - to kids who find it cool to read, turn off their TVs and use their imaginations - I knew that my son should read it. YA fiction has been crying out for something that is not a paranormal romance, which the bookshelves, both virtual and real, seem to be full of. C'mon people, do you really think that tween boys really want to read that sloppy stuff?
But back to First Flight, young Connor Hayden's first literary endeavour (with a little bit of writerly help from his Dad) - stand up and take a bow, you have done a wonderful job.
The story is sensational, and definitely leaves you wanting more. The language is evocative, funny and sometimes utterly hilarious - keep an eye out for the scene in the Round About, the sentient carnival machine that has its riders losing their lunch. Actually, make sure you are not snacking while reading that section. The ideas are ingenious and inventive, I particularly liked the mechanical bird Clank who is fed on coal chips. The characters are likeable - the twins Dade and Paige; or shudderingly loathsome - Professor Minus. Or somewhere in the middle - smelly Abe, I kind of took to him.
In short, this short has everything. I'll leave the final word to my twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old son who read First Flight straight after me: 'it's cool. I like the language, it's written like me and my friends speak.'
And there you have it.
But back to First Flight, young Connor Hayden's first literary endeavour (with a little bit of writerly help from his Dad) - stand up and take a bow, you have done a wonderful job.
The story is sensational, and definitely leaves you wanting more. The language is evocative, funny and sometimes utterly hilarious - keep an eye out for the scene in the Round About, the sentient carnival machine that has its riders losing their lunch. Actually, make sure you are not snacking while reading that section. The ideas are ingenious and inventive, I particularly liked the mechanical bird Clank who is fed on coal chips. The characters are likeable - the twins Dade and Paige; or shudderingly loathsome - Professor Minus. Or somewhere in the middle - smelly Abe, I kind of took to him.
In short, this short has everything. I'll leave the final word to my twelve-going-on-thirteen-year-old son who read First Flight straight after me: 'it's cool. I like the language, it's written like me and my friends speak.'
And there you have it.
January 14, 2012
First Flight by Sean and Connor Hayden 5/5
I was originally introduced to Sean Hayden’s steampunk stories through his steampunk short Lady Dorn. It was the first time I was introduced to the genre and when I found out that he was writing a whole series with his son? I wanted to read them.
Okay I needed to read them.
In the beginning of this series, we’re introduced to Professor Pelusian Minus, whose steamsmith has just died. A steamsmith is someone who can communicate with machinary and create extraordinary things. He send his henchman, Abraham Lincoln, a man of few words and questionable intelligents out to find a replacement. Instead of bring back one steamsmith, he brings back two and their twins, baby twins. So this starts the story of Dade and Paige, and their need to escape the circus.
Unfortunately things are never that simple.
In this story Sean and Connor have created a believable world. You’re immediately on the side of the twins and even more so when there is a accident in the main circus ring.
This is a beautiful story and another one that I’m looking forward to finishing
I was originally introduced to Sean Hayden’s steampunk stories through his steampunk short Lady Dorn. It was the first time I was introduced to the genre and when I found out that he was writing a whole series with his son? I wanted to read them.
Okay I needed to read them.
In the beginning of this series, we’re introduced to Professor Pelusian Minus, whose steamsmith has just died. A steamsmith is someone who can communicate with machinary and create extraordinary things. He send his henchman, Abraham Lincoln, a man of few words and questionable intelligents out to find a replacement. Instead of bring back one steamsmith, he brings back two and their twins, baby twins. So this starts the story of Dade and Paige, and their need to escape the circus.
Unfortunately things are never that simple.
In this story Sean and Connor have created a believable world. You’re immediately on the side of the twins and even more so when there is a accident in the main circus ring.
This is a beautiful story and another one that I’m looking forward to finishing
March 21, 2011
Not only does this story have a wicked cool cover, the tale itself is a must read! Steampunk is all the rage these days (so I hear) and if you like it... then this is a story for you! That said, any lover of the fantastical will enjoy this read. The characters are wonderful, as is the setting. An imaginative story it will keep you turning each page right til the end. First Flight is not short on humor either, be it in dialogue or creative names and descriptions.
As an adult I really enjoyed this book, for those with young readers this is a perfect short story, even for those reluctant readers!
I can't wait for the next installment which will be out soon!
As an adult I really enjoyed this book, for those with young readers this is a perfect short story, even for those reluctant readers!
I can't wait for the next installment which will be out soon!
December 13, 2011
AWESOMENESS!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews